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Post by KikiPea on May 28, 2015 11:39:53 GMT
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tincin
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,378
Jul 25, 2014 4:55:32 GMT
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Post by tincin on May 28, 2015 11:46:23 GMT
It makes perfect sense to me. Then again I was lucky because my kids were grown before Pintrest came along. They never had "graduations" from every grade, extraordinary parties at school, etc. If they were lucky they got a couple of snacks for a party and lived with it. They were perfectly content with that. Their birthday parties were in our backyard except for a couple of special parties held at Chuck E. Cheese's or some such place. We didn't even give the guests goodie bags. Life was pretty simple.
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MorningPerson
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,543
Location: Central Pennsylvania
Jul 4, 2014 21:35:44 GMT
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Post by MorningPerson on May 28, 2015 12:05:52 GMT
I can relate. I just spent a few minutes looking around his blog - I love his writing style. I'm adding him to my bookmarked blogs - like I needed yet another one! Thanks for sharing. ETA Here's a good one on comparing your life to others on Facebook.
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Nanner
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,987
Jun 25, 2014 23:13:23 GMT
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Post by Nanner on May 28, 2015 12:08:26 GMT
Love it. And agree that most of those moms are doing it so they aren't singled out by the other moms as not doing it "right". If you enjoy doing it, then do it. But don't make everyone feel like they have to too.
There was none of this stuff when my kids were younger. Thank goodness!!!! I like crafting, but I sure didn't have time for all that
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Post by Bitchy Rich on May 28, 2015 12:08:30 GMT
I do not feel inadequate by another mother slapping cutesy tags on snack foods. I think they are stupid and not clever.
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Post by anxiousmom on May 28, 2015 12:21:02 GMT
I completely agree with him...and I am one of those moms. I did it because I liked doing it. I loved making goodies for the kids, I loved doing all the cutesy foo-foo treats.
My kids are way older than pinterest though, and my friends all laughed with me when I would show up with themed treat bags that had the arguably over the top cuteness. The difference I guess, at least to me, is that I did it because I enjoyed doing it, and not because I was trying to out do anyone else. My friends all knew that, and didn't make me feel bad for doing it and I never made anyone feel inferior for doing less. They knew it was just me, doing what I liked to do. I was lucky though, I had good people around me who didn't feel like everything we did was a competition and we all just kind of did what we do best and knew that about each other.
These days with pinterest though? I can't even imagine the pressure some people would feel trying to keep up and compete with the others. And honestly, with the mommy wars seemingly ramping up since my kids were little, it seems like the competition to out cute each other has gone overboard.
I could see even someone like me giving those ubermoms the metaphorical finger and bringing Publix chocolate chip cookies to every event. (Although, if you haven't had Publix chocolate chip cookies...you really need to try them, they are the BOMB.)
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Post by anonrefugee on May 28, 2015 12:24:15 GMT
Good article, and I'm someone who loved to make the notes, but not for every- single- event.
I also looked at the debris they ripped off in three seconds and thought,"What a waste, hope it's recyclable."
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Post by Jennifer C on May 28, 2015 12:27:31 GMT
I like doing some of the crafts that I see on Pinterest. I've been even known to make some super cute gift bags for my kids parties. However, I am not my neighbor. She has to have the biggest, frilliest, overdone, most blinged out anything. And she makes sure that you know that it was so easy and fast to make. Super fun. Right. Jennifer
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Post by anonrefugee on May 28, 2015 12:28:45 GMT
Another thought- Many schools, like ours, outlawed homemade treats. Previous generations had amazing cupcakes and pretty iced cookies. This, blinged treats, are what we could do and fit within food guidelines.
There were moms that loved baking and those that were just competitive in previous generations. There weren't bloggers to shame - or console- them.
ETA because I couldn't stand looking at autofill Mistake that should've been "blinged" any longer
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grinningcat
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,663
Jun 26, 2014 13:06:35 GMT
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Post by grinningcat on May 28, 2015 12:29:11 GMT
I guess I don't understand the pressure. If you like doing it, great. If you don't, don't. Is someone holding you hostage and forcing you to do any of this stuff? No. Then who cares if you do it and someone else doesn't or if you don't and someone else does. Why rain on someone's parade because they had some fun with some packages of gummy worms and goldfish crackers? Does that really make someone feel inferiour because they don't do that?
I guess I just don't see why he's making a big deal about it. Some people like to be crafty and creative, others don't. I don't really understand a lacking of desire to be creative but hey, whatever floats your boat. I don't think this has anything to do with pinterest, this "competition" between creative types and non-creative types has been around forever.
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Post by Restless Spirit on May 28, 2015 12:32:58 GMT
I'm way beyond (as in old) the target of that blog post but thought it really rang true.
I have a grandson in lower school at a private school and some of the "goodies" I have seen him bring home have been way over the top. Cute - but wow. It drives my daughter -who works full time and is NOT crafty - bonkers.
I think someone should do a social experiment:
Place an assortment of treats on a table. There should only be 2 of each item - one decorated, one in the original packaging only. Tell kids they may take only ONE of each kind of treat. Wouldn't it be interesting to see if the "Pinterized" treats were preferred over the plain? Do kids really care?
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Post by katieanna on May 28, 2015 12:33:06 GMT
Love it. And agree that most of those moms are doing it so they aren't singled out by the other moms as not doing it "right". If you enjoy doing it, then do it. But don't make everyone feel like they have to too. There was none of this stuff when my kids were younger. Thank goodness!!!! I like crafting, but I sure didn't have time for all that You're right there. Great blog post. TFS!
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raindancer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,095
Jun 26, 2014 20:10:29 GMT
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Post by raindancer on May 28, 2015 12:34:21 GMT
I completely agree with him...and I am one of those moms. I did it because I liked doing it. I loved making goodies for the kids, I loved doing all the cutesy foo-foo treats. My kids are way older than pinterest though, and my friends all laughed with me when I would show up with themed treat bags that had the arguably over the top cuteness. The difference I guess, at least to me, is that I did it because I enjoyed doing it, and not because I was trying to out do anyone else. My friends all knew that, and didn't make me feel bad for doing it and I never made anyone feel inferior for doing less. They knew it was just me, doing what I liked to do. I was lucky though, I had good people around me who didn't feel like everything we did was a competition and we all just kind of did what we do best and knew that about each other. These days with pinterest though? I can't even imagine the pressure some people would feel trying to keep up and compete with the others. And honestly, with the mommy wars seemingly ramping up since my kids were little, it seems like the competition to out cute each other has gone overboard. I could see even someone like me giving those ubermoms the metaphorical finger and bringing Publix chocolate chip cookies to every event. (Although, if you haven't had Publix chocolate chip cookies...you really need to try them, they are the BOMB.) I don't know. I think it says a lot about the people who are left feeling inferior over pinterest crafts in their kids classrooms. I did them a lot for my kids when they were small (pre-pinterest), because, like you, I enjoyed it. Plus I had the time. Now I am a full time grad student and I work part time, and I have middle schoolers. But I can say that the last 3 years of my sons elementary experience involved very few crafty things from mom. I realize that in the mommy wars, people like to say they don't have more time than me to do that, they just prioritize their time differently, but I think the reality is that working/student moms don't really have the time for that stuff. Something has to give. I usually don't even start homework for myself until after 9pm. And then the reality is my priority is going to be sleep after that. When I was a stay at home mom, there was a luxury to reorganizing my time that I don't have now. I could do the laundry a little bit later or put it off until another day. I can't go to class a little bit later, or drop off that homework tomorrow. When someone else is making demands on your time, you are just SOL. But that doesn't mean I don't appreciate the moms who have different demands and are able to make cute stuff for class parties and birthdays for my kids and others to enjoy. I think that mom's get so caught up in each other that they forget the kids aren't all that worried about us. If we stopped being so egocentric we would see they are too.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,343
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on May 28, 2015 12:34:31 GMT
I guess I don't understand the pressure. If you like doing it, great. If you don't, don't. Is someone holding you hostage and forcing you to do any of this stuff? No. Then who cares if you do it and someone else doesn't or if you don't and someone else does. Why rain on someone's parade because they had some fun with some packages of gummy worms and goldfish crackers? Does that really make someone feel inferiour because they don't do that? I guess I just don't see why he's making a big deal about it. Some people like to be crafty and creative, others don't. I don't really understand a lacking of desire to be creative but hey, whatever floats your boat. I don't think this has anything to do with pinterest, this "competition" between creative types and non-creative types has been around forever.
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raindancer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,095
Jun 26, 2014 20:10:29 GMT
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Post by raindancer on May 28, 2015 12:37:28 GMT
I guess I don't understand the pressure. If you like doing it, great. If you don't, don't. Is someone holding you hostage and forcing you to do any of this stuff? No. Then who cares if you do it and someone else doesn't or if you don't and someone else does. Why rain on someone's parade because they had some fun with some packages of gummy worms and goldfish crackers? Does that really make someone feel inferiour because they don't do that? I guess I just don't see why he's making a big deal about it. Some people like to be crafty and creative, others don't. I don't really understand a lacking of desire to be creative but hey, whatever floats your boat. I don't think this has anything to do with pinterest, this "competition" between creative types and non-creative types has been around forever. Exactly. Besides, I don't feel like copying things off pinterest makes you creative. It just means you are crafty and can copy. I think if most women thought about it (those who are left feeling inferior over this stuff--which I actually wonder, DO they feel inferior or has someone decided that they do? You know, for the sake of clicks to their blog...), they would realize that they could copy that too, and if it's more about wishing for the time to do it, then maybe they need to rethink how they spend their time. For me, it's not worth it. For someone else it might be.
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Post by liya on May 28, 2015 12:39:22 GMT
My kids were in elementary school pre-Pinterest. I also did a lot of that crafty stuff. Partly because I liked it and partly because I thought it was expected. I remember one particular Valentines Day making home made valentines with the kids; I'm pretty sure they would have preferred the store bought ones.
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Post by *sprout* on May 28, 2015 12:46:59 GMT
I guess I don't understand the pressure. If you like doing it, great. If you don't, don't. Is someone holding you hostage and forcing you to do any of this stuff? No. Then who cares if you do it and someone else doesn't or if you don't and someone else does. Why rain on someone's parade because they had some fun with some packages of gummy worms and goldfish crackers? Does that really make someone feel inferiour because they don't do that? I guess I just don't see why he's making a big deal about it. Some people like to be crafty and creative, others don't. I don't really understand a lacking of desire to be creative but hey, whatever floats your boat. I don't think this has anything to do with pinterest, this "competition" between creative types and non-creative types has been around forever. Well said!
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on May 28, 2015 13:15:06 GMT
I enjoyed that article.
I am crafty, and enjoy it.
But I only do it for my own kids. It is too much of a waste to do it for a whole classroom of kids who don't really appreciate the effort and will toss out the crafty parts within seconds of receiving them.
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Kerri W
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,790
Location: Kentucky
Jun 25, 2014 20:31:44 GMT
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Post by Kerri W on May 28, 2015 13:30:09 GMT
I guess I don't understand the pressure. If you like doing it, great. If you don't, don't. Is someone holding you hostage and forcing you to do any of this stuff? No. Then who cares if you do it and someone else doesn't or if you don't and someone else does. Why rain on someone's parade because they had some fun with some packages of gummy worms and goldfish crackers? Does that really make someone feel inferiour because they don't do that? I guess I just don't see why he's making a big deal about it. Some people like to be crafty and creative, others don't. I don't really understand a lacking of desire to be creative but hey, whatever floats your boat. I don't think this has anything to do with pinterest, this "competition" between creative types and non-creative types has been around forever. Exactly. Besides, I don't feel like copying things off pinterest makes you creative. It just means you are crafty and can copy. I think if most women thought about it (those who are left feeling inferior over this stuff--which I actually wonder, DO they feel inferior or has someone decided that they do? You know, for the sake of clicks to their blog...), they would realize that they could copy that too, and if it's more about wishing for the time to do it, then maybe they need to rethink how they spend their time. For me, it's not worth it. For someone else it might be. Yes yes yes. Really? Do you feel inferior? Or do you feel envious that somebody else has the time to do something cutesy? Do you feel a bit guilty about not having the time? I don't think the feeling is inferiority. It's about priorities and we all prioritize differently depending on our interests and lives. The time I spend doing something cutesy for DS class is "me" time that I sneak away to spend by myself. This year my schedule has gone crazy and I haven't had the time to do what I normally would for his teacher (who is my favorite teacher of all time!). So she won't get something cute, she'll get a gift card and a very heartfelt thank you. And I'm won't stress over it in the least. I certainly won't feel inferior about it.
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Post by alittleintrepid on May 28, 2015 13:33:06 GMT
It would really cut into my peaing time if I decorated every snack that I send to school with my kids.
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caro
Drama Llama
Refupea 1130
Posts: 5,222
Jun 26, 2014 14:10:36 GMT
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Post by caro on May 28, 2015 14:08:06 GMT
I teach preschool, home of all things crafty. One little boy brought in a fruit cup his mom sent in his lunch and she had drawn a smiley face on the top. He wouldn't open it and eat it because he loved it so much. It went back home unopened, uneaten. Fail!
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Post by myshelly on May 28, 2015 14:25:21 GMT
I hate blog posts like this.
I think the blogger sounds bitter, tired, and jealous of women who choose to do stuff like this.
I just had a very strong instant dislike of her.
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Post by tomocus on May 28, 2015 14:27:35 GMT
I don't understand feeling inferior. I am sometimes cutesy and sometimes not. I can craft a little but rarely is it something I completely think of on my own.
There are a whole world full of people who are way the heck craftier than me. I admire and love their talent. There are people who can sew, sing, play multiple instruments, decorate a house on a nickle and make it look like a million dollars. There are people who can make speeches, write interesting blogs. There are people who can throw a dinner party together on a moments notice while I am still trying to figure out what I am going to make for dinner while my DH and I are standing in the kitchen starving and saying "do you want to just eat cereal again or should we go out".
My DIL can paint wonderful pictures and draw and sketch, all while working full time as a Veterinarian, training a service dog, training her other dog for agility, training her exotic bird to do tricks (I love the video of the bird placing a small ball through a small basketball hoop then cheering for himself)all this while training the service dog to also do dance moves to music with her. She also grows herbs, peppers, lemons, tomatoes and who knows what else. All while loving my son and being a great wife. I am so proud of her.
My best friend paints and has won many awards and is now selling her artwork at ridiculous prices and has raised two wonderful sons and is a wonderful wife.
Another friend can put a beautiful wedding together, covering all the tiny details and you would be surprised how much money she saves people. Same thing for a party or shower or get together.
I would love to be artistic, play an instrument,write a book. But, I do not feel inferior. There are things I do well and things others do well. We all have different talents and abilities and I think it is a shame we can't enjoy and applaud and enjoy others' for their talents.
I think a lot of it comes down to this whole thing now that everyone has to be equal and have equal. We are not equal and we will not ever all have equal because even in socialistic countries, the ones in charge have all and everyone else has none.
We should love who we are and who others are without trying to belittle others or make others look bad because they have and enjoy a talent or material things we don't have.
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Post by tomocus on May 28, 2015 14:31:59 GMT
Another thought- Many schools, like ours, outlawed homemade treats. Previous generations had amazing cupcakes and pretty iced cookies. This, belonged treats, iare what we could do and fit within food guidelines. There were moms that loved baking and those that were just competitive in previous generations. There weren't bloggers to shame - or console- them. I agree!!
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Post by tomocus on May 28, 2015 14:33:17 GMT
I hate blog posts like this. I think the blogger sounds bitter, tired, and jealous of women who choose to do stuff like this. I just had a very strong instant dislike of her. I agree
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loco coco
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,662
Jun 26, 2014 16:15:45 GMT
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Post by loco coco on May 28, 2015 14:43:29 GMT
Exhausting? If other peoples crafts make someone feel exhausted or stressed I think they missed the point and have other issues
Crafting is fun, if you like it do it. If you dont then dont. Its pretty simple and nothing to stress out about
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 7, 2024 9:33:53 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2015 14:47:44 GMT
I agree that gluing eyes and taping shit onto everything is ridiculous, but that's where my agreement ends.
I've always thrown parties for my kids, and I decorate and make them fun. This was way before Pinterest and has nothing to do with what the other moms think of me: I do it because *I* enjoy it and it makes the party guests and birthday girl feel special.
I've also had the exact opposite experience of doing stuff because it makes me feel special or like I have more time than other moms: I'll receive at least as many snarky comments about my flower cupcakes at the end of the year party as I do complements.
It's sad really, when we can't just do what makes us happy, without being judged by others.
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ginacivey
Pearl Clutcher
refupea #2 in southeast missouri
Posts: 4,685
Jun 25, 2014 19:18:36 GMT
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Post by ginacivey on May 28, 2015 14:48:20 GMT
glad i read...just to snag this! gina
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Post by baylorgrad on May 28, 2015 14:54:10 GMT
I hate blog posts like this. I think the blogger sounds bitter, tired, and jealous of women who choose to do stuff like this. I just had a very strong instant dislike of her. The blogger is a guy, I think. Just to point that out. He mentions that his wife is someone who reluctantly put googly eyes and construction paper squares on fruit cups, so she probably feels, in some part, like he does.
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Post by roundtwo on May 28, 2015 14:56:08 GMT
My kids were little before Pinterest but I've always been crafty, so I was always mucking about making and baking things for my kids, even when I was working and going to school. I never felt it was a competition or I was better than anyone else, it was just something I liked doing. There were some moms who made even cooler things and some moms who had no interest in this stuff at all but complimented the stuff they liked and from what I could see, very few got their knickers in a knot over these things. I must admit I get a kick out of their friends remembering some of the things I made them for snacks and lunches over 15 years ago - glad I'm remembered for that and not for freaking out when their homework wasn't done, lol!
Sometimes though, there are the people who say it must be nice to have so much free time, extra money, blah blah blah and it does irritate me that they need to put others down to feel good about themselves. I agree with the blogger and others who know that for most of us, there is no competitiveness behind what we do, it is just something we enjoy and we make time in our lives to participate in these activities.
I don't judge anyone's choice of hobby whether it involves painting or running or gaming or birdwatching or "insert your choice here".
I do judge though, when someone says it "must be nice to have all that free time" when talk turns to hobbies.
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